Overview & Reviews

One of America's most storied automotive brands, Dodge has been around since the early days of the auto industry. In the past couple of decades, it has revitalized itself to be a producer of aggressively styled and performance-oriented vehicles.

Two brothers, Horace and John Dodge, began the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle company in 1914, after having worked as manufacturers of bicycles and automotive parts. Their first vehicle was a touring car that proved a fast favorite with car buyers; it was soon joined by a roadster and a four-door sedan. By 1917, the company's model line had grown to include trucks. Dodge cars and trucks were used as staff vehicles and ambulances in World War I.

Dodge was briefly owned by a banking firm and subsequently sold by its new owner to the Chrysler Corporation in 1928. From there, the brand slowly evolved into the division responsible for trucks and performance-oriented cars. Post WWII, Dodge introduced vehicles like the military-inspired Power Wagon truck, Hemi-powered Coronet and the Royal Lancer; in addition, the manufacturer began offering dealer-installed air-conditioning.

Vehicles like the Dodge Dart and the Coronet kept the manufacturer in American driveways throughout the 1960s. That decade also saw the launch of one of Dodge's most iconic vehicles, the Charger. Dodge's muscle car was based on the Coronet platform, and featured a fastback roof line, hidden headlamps and a full-width taillamp panel. Best of all, the Charger could pack one heck of a wallop under the hood. A 318-cubic-inch V8 was standard, but buyers seeking maximum brawn could upgrade to a 426-cubic-inch, 425-hp Hemi V8. The company also introduced a Mustang-fighting pony car, called the Challenger, in 1970.

As with other American auto manufacturers, Dodge's fortunes started to slip in the '70s due to changing tastes and increased competition. The company was saved from extinction in the early '80s thanks to government loans and the sales success of its Omni and Aries economy cars (the former an attempted copy of the VW Rabbit). But 1984 was when Dodge made its mark in the history books with the introduction of the wildly popular Caravan. Ideal for families and able to seat up to seven, the space-efficient Caravan started a whole new vehicle segment -- the minivan.

The early '90s saw the company wow the public with the V10-powered Viper roadster and an all-new Ram pickup that set a new standard for big-rig-like styling. A few years later, Dodge came to be part of DaimlerChrysler, a result of the merger of the German company Daimler (owner of Mercedes-Benz) and Chrysler.

The merger never really worked, however, and Daimler sold Chrysler and Dodge to a private equity firm in 2007. Soon after, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy. The federal government intervened and eventually Dodge came under control of Fiat, a European automaker known for its small cars, an area where Dodge's entries had been roundly criticized for mediocre build quality and unrefined performance.

More recent years have seen Dodge concentrate on the more practical vehicles in its lineup, making notable improvements to the performance and overall quality of its midsize Avenger sedan and Journey SUV entries. Dodge also spun off its truck line, making it a separate Ram brand. But make no mistake; Dodge is still considered Chrysler's performance division thanks to cars like the Challenger and Charger. Time will tell how successful Dodge's latest makeover is.

User Reviews:

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  Great Car! - 2008 Dodge Charger
  By duginmt - September 12 - 12:36 am

  I bought this car used with 21K miles, saved about 10K over new. It started out life as an FBI undercover car for the first 2,500 miles. Then a private party bought it and installed 20" X 8" wheels and Kuhmo tires, along with a spoiler. Love the looks of this car, and it has plenty of power stock. It is the quickest car I have ever owned. The keyless key fobs are a little weird but I am getting used to it. The car has a firm but comfortable ride, and handles very well. I do not find the steering wheel effort to be too hard at all. About right for a sports sedan. My 4-year-old son thinks it is a racing car, the fastest car around, he says! So far, it seems very reliable. Buy 1!

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  Middle Age Crazy - 2005 Dodge Neon
  By Bill9725 - September 10 - 11:20 pm

  Love the extreme power. Fun watching the Young that know what it is, the older types just think it is a body dress kit. Excellent engine and handling, even able to fit large size adults nicely. Has outstanding Mileage, Power, and Handling. Everyone that gets a ride in the car is amaized at the abilitys of a basic economy car.

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  2009 Charger RT RWD 5.7 L - 2009 Dodge Charger
  By MJ - September 10 - 11:37 am

  Have only had the car two weeks. Traded my 2004 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Intimidator Edition of five years on it and have not regretted it at all. There is no road noise and rides great. I test drove cars for two months including the Pontiac G8 GT and the new Chevrolet Camaro. The seats in the G8 had no padding and the Camaro had limited vision in spots. When I drove the Charger I knew this is it.

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  OUR RED NITRO - 2008 Dodge Nitro
  By M&M - September 9 - 8:43 pm

  We bought our nitro new and has been flawless after 10 months. Have found no flaws in the paint and interior. I use 4x4 for snow. The seats are very comfortable. We average 20mpg overall mileage after 9000 miles. The sunroof chrome clad 17 inch wheels, red paint really gets noticed. It has plenty of power and rides good for a 4x4. It is a solid suv at a good price.

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  Best car ever - 1994 Dodge Shadow
  By Andy - September 9 - 12:04 pm

  I bought my 94 Shadow in November of 94 with 12,000 miles on it. The following fall it drove 100 miles (round trip) per day to college 5 days a week. It was in a rollover accident in winter of 96. Rolled it back onto the wheels and drove it into body shop. Continued to drive until 2000 when it was sold to my brother for college and had not needed one repair in its 125,000 mile life. Was sold back to me in 2002 for a daily driver work car at which time I drove it up to 200,000 miles replacing only hoses at 185,000 miles. Still didnt use 1 drop of oil between changes. It was only retired due to a severe accident that tore the engine off the motor mounts. The engine still ran after.

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  overall impressed - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By happy so far - September 9 - 3:03 am

  Got the car almost a year ago. Now it has 55k miles. Paid $13k. Gas mileage is about 300 miles to the tank. Put 20s on it and it looks great. Love the exterior look. Got pinstrip down the doors to the trunk, didnt like it at first but it breaks up lines and it looks great. I knew the interior wasnt anything super. I like the White gauges. Will need to replace the power steering hose soon it is slightly leaking. Oh and tint all 5 Windows

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  Old reliable - 1994 Dodge Dakota
  By Dad - September 8 - 9:33 pm

  This has been a reliable truck, with no major problems. Never had any engine or transmission work. It is a good balance between a car and a full-sized truck, especially if you dont need to pull a large trailer.

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  Stupid Dodge Dynasty - 1993 Dodge Dynasty
  By pamel44 - September 8 - 2:07 pm

  I bought my Dodge at a car lot used with 56,000 miles. Here it is 3 months later and with only 61,000 miles the transmission is out. I would not recommend this car........serious! Dont buy one!!!!

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  Money well spent! - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Andrew - September 8 - 9:45 am

  Best money I have ever spent! Car rides incredible,feels powerful,sounds throaty! I added a K & N cold air intake and the ride is incredible. Car is a definite head turner!

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  Charger RT beats Merc E500, Lexus LS430 - 2006 Dodge Charger
  By Value Hunter - September 8 - 8:26 am

  RT is 68th car in 25 years. Incredible value and performance. 0-60 in 5.2 with road/track performance pckge - amazing handling. Sticker of $33,695 sold at $30,100! Have owned 04 LS430 & 01 Mercedes E500. Both cars today would be over $60k equiped same way. RT rides on Mercedes platform and has 5 speed Mercedes tiptronic transmission. It drives effortlessly and is very quiet,extremely comfortable & fun